Serbia, Bosnia, NATO Welcome Appeal By Karadzic's Wife

Radovan Karadzic (file photo)
29 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Serbian, Bosnian, and NATO officials have welcomed an appeal from the wife of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic for her husband to surrender to UN authorities.

Paddy Ashdown, the international community's high representative in Bosnia, said the surrender of Karadzic -- wanted for war crimes -- would serve the interests of the Serbian people and regional stability.

Ashdown's comments were echoed by Serbian President Boris Tadic, Bosnian Prime Minister Adnan Terzic, and NATO's commander in Bosnia, U.S. General Steven Schook.

Yesterday, Ljiljana Karadzic made a public call for her husband to surrender to the UN War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.

"It is very painful and difficult to ask you this, but nevertheless with all my heart and soul I beg you to surrender," Ljiljana Karadzic said. "It will be a sacrifice to us and our family."

Karadzic remains at large some 10 years after the end of the Bosnian war. He is charged with war crimes and genocide during the war.